Nectarine tree named ‘Coelho’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree which is somewhat remotely similar to the ‘July Red’ nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,663), but from which it is distinguished by producing fruit which are mature for harvesting and shipment approximately two (2) to three (3) days after the fruit produced by the ‘July Red’ nectarine tree and wherein the fruit is of a high quality, large size, having a white flesh coloration and having a very thin, but distinctive, stripe of yellow skin coloration along the ventral suture of the skin thereof.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicanectarina.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarinetree, Prunus persica nectarina, which will hereinafter be denominatedvarietally as the ‘Coelho’ nectarine tree, and, more particularly, to anectarine tree which produces full clingstone fruit, which are maturefor commercial harvesting and shipment approximately July 14 to July 28in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

It is well known that commercially successful varieties of fruit aredependent for their success on a multiplicity of criteria, any one,several, or all of which may be of controlling significance. Similarly,it is frequently the case that the judgment relative to which of thesecriteria may be decisive in determining the ultimate commercial successof the variety is largely subjective. Nonetheless, certain criteria areconsidered of particular importance. Such criteria, particularly withrespect to tree fruit, may be considered to include ripening date,relative to other commercially successful varieties; size and generalquality; skin coloration; flavor; shipping and handling qualities; andthe like.

The new variety of the present invention is believed to be a worthycandidate for commercial success based upon such considerations.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree hereof was discovered by theinventor in his orchard which is located near Laton in the central SanJoaquin Valley of California. The inventor discovered the new variety asa newly found seedling. The seed parent of the new variety of thesubject invention is believed to be the ‘July Red’ Nectarine Tree (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 5,663), the pollen parent is unknown. The observed mothersport of the new variety is nine (9) years old. The fruit of the newvariety ripens for commercial harvesting and shipment approximately two(2) to three (3) days after the ‘July Red’ nectarine tree in the SanJoaquin Valley of central California. At the inventor's direction, thenew variety hereof was first asexually reproduced in 1994 by graftingbud wood from the original tree onto ‘Nemaguard’ peach tree rootstockand the resulting trees of the new variety have been observed by theinventor since that time and have been found in all respects to beidentical to that of the original tree of the new variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the botanical details of this new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observedunder the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchard of originwhich is located near Laton in the San Joaquin Valley of centralCalifornia. All major color code designations are by reference to theDictionary of Color, by Maerz and Paul, First Edition, 1930. Commoncolor names are also occasionally employed.

TREE

Generally:

Size.—Height — The tree varies from 9.5 feet (289.56 cm) to 10.5 feet(320.04 cm), including approximately 4.5 feet (137.16 cm) of new growthin late July and was in its 6th leaf of growth propagated on Nemaguardpeach rootstock.

Diameter.—The tree is approximately 13.5 feet (411.48 cm).

Vigor.—Vigorous.

Chilling requirements.—The new variety is hardy under typical climaticconditions of the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

Figure.—Upright to upright-spreading in form and trained to an open vasesystem.

Productivity.—Productive.

Pollination.—No pollination is required.

Regularity of bearing.—Regular bearer.

Trunk:

Size.—The trunk is of average thickness.

Diameter.—6.75 inches (171.45 mm) to 5.75 inches (146.05 mm).

Bark texture.—Relatively coarse.

Color.—Greyish brown, from (7-L-9) to (7-C-10 Kermanshaw Brown).

Lenticels.—Numbers — Numerous large calloused lenticels presentthroughout the surface.

Lenticels.—Form — Oval.

Lenticels.—Size — Height — From 1.0 mm (0.04 inches) to 2.5 mm (0.1inches).

Lenticels.—Size — Width — 3 mm (0.12 inches) to 9 mm (0.36 inches).

Branches:

Size.—Average thickness. Branch diameter ranges from 4.76 mm ({fraction(3/16)} inches) to 25.4 mm (1.0 inches) depending on location andpruning techniques used.

Surface texture.—Branches two years or older have a medium surfacetexture, usually slightly furrowed.

Surface texture.—Current seasons shoots have a glabrous surface texture.

Internode.—Length — Normal, ranging from 23 mm (0.92 inches) to 28 mm(1.12 inches) between nodes on fruiting hanger wood.

Color.—Mature Branches — Medium brown (15-C-11 Malay Brown) to (14-C-12Tortoise Brown).

Color.—Current Seasons Growth — Exposed surfaces of current season'sshoots are often tinged with pink-red (4-E-9) to (4-I-9 Marsh Rose)coloration. Pale green (19-I-5 Kildare Green) to (19-F-6). The color ofnew shoot tips are bright, shiny green.

Leaves:

Size.—Generally — The leaves are from medium to large. Leaf measurementshave been taken from leaves located on vigorous, upright, currentseason's shoots.

Average length.—Ranges from 16.7 cm (6.513 inches) to 19.7 cm (7.683inches), including the petiole.

Average width.—Ranges from 4.3 cm (1.677 inches) to 4.9 cm (1.911inches).

Thickness.—Average.

Form.—Generally lanceolate.

Leaf apex.—Acuminate. Often slightly twisted sideways.

Color.—Dorsal surface — Dark green (23-L-7).

Color.—Ventral surface — Lighter grey-green (22-K-3).

Leaf margin.—Variable, most frequently crenate, but at times approachingserrate. The individual crenations are moderately large and uniform, orregular, in size. The overall leaf margin is moderately undulate.

Petiole.—Size — Medium.

Petiole.—Length — 11 mm (0.44 inches) to 13 mm (0.52 inches).

Petiole.—Thickness — 1.5 mm (0.06 inches) to 2.0 mm (0.08 inches).

Petiole.—Color — Pale green (19-I-6), slightly darker within the petiolegroove.

Leaf glands.—Size — Medium to large.

Leaf glands.—Number — Variable.

Leaf glands.—Position — Leaf petiole.

Bloom quality.—Average abundance to slightly above average. The treebloom ranges from 75 percent (75%) to 90 percent (90%) and is of highquality.

Petals.—Size — Medium.

Petals.—Size — Length — 10 mm (0.4 inches) to 13 mm (0.52 inches).

Petals.—Size — Width — 10 mm (0.4 inches) to 11 mm (0.44 inches).

Petal.—Number — Most frequently five, but occasionally from 3 to 5 smalladditional obovate form petals can be present.

Petals.—Form — The main petals can be variable, from broadly ovate to attimes slightly obovate.

Petals.—Color — Pink (1-F-2), a darker rose-pink (1-J-3) along the petalmargins.

Petal claw.—Form — Truncate. The claw is short and moderately broad.

Petal.—Margins — Undulate, especially so at the petal apex.

Petal.—Apex — Margin — Often ruffled, rounded and at times notched.

Pedicel.—Size — Normal.

Pedicel.—Size — Length — Averaging 2.0 mm (0.08 inches).

Pedicel.—Size — Thickness — Ranging from 1.0 mm (0.04 inches) to 1.5 mm(0.06 inches).

Pedicel.—Color — Medium green (19-L-6 Calliste Green).

Pedicel.—Surface — Glabrous.

Floral nectaries.—Color — Pale green-orange (13-L-8 Buckthorn Brown).

Calyx.—Surface — Glabrous and moderately rugose.

Calyx.—Color — Maroon (6-J-3 Mineral Red) with areas of green (19-K-4),especially basally.

Sepal.—Surface — Pubescent.

Sepal.—Size — Medium.

Sepal.—Form — Conic.

Sepal.—Color — Maroon (6-J-2), at times striped or spotted with areas ofgreen (19-K-3), especially along the margins.

Anthers.—Size — Medium. Ranges from 3.18 mm (0.13 inches) to 9.53 mm(0.38 inches), depending on blossom vigor.

Anther.—Color — Light tan (11-C-2 Ecru Beige) ventrally and dark red(4-L-9) dorsally.

Pollen.—Quantity — Moderate to light.

Pollen.—Color — Yellow-gold (10-K-2).

Filament.—Length — Ranges from 11 mm (0.44 inches) to 14 mm (0.56inches) and are usually somewhat shorter than the pistil.

Filament.—Color — Pale pink (1-B-1) when young and darkening to a dullpurple-rose (3-H-3) with maturity.

Pistil.—Length — Ranges from 17 mm (0.68 inches) to 21 mm (0.84 inches),including the ovary.

Pistil.—Color — Pale green-yellow (17-H-2).

Pistil.—Surface — Glabrous.

FRUIT

Maturity when described: The fruit is described in a firm ripe conditionat full commercial maturity. Ripe for commercial harvesting and shipmentapproximately July 14 to July 28 near Laton in the San Joaquin Valley ofcentral California.

Stem cavity.—Width — Ranges from 26 mm (1.04 inches) to 28 mm (1.12inches).

Stem cavity.—Depth — Ranges from 13 mm (0.52 inches) to 15 mm (0.6inches).

Stem cavity.—Length — Ranges from 28 (1.12 inches) to 33 mm (1.32inches).

Stem cavity.—Form — Oval.

Stem.—Generally — Medium sized.

Stem.—Size — Length — Ranging from 7 mm (0.28 inches) to 11 mm (0.44inches).

Stem.—Size — Thickness — Ranging from 4 mm (0.16 inches) to 5 mm (0.2inches).

Stem.—Color — Olive green (13-J-1), at times with brown streaks present.

Fruit base.—Form — Usually slightly truncate. The base angle isvariable, from at right angle to the fruit axis to very slightlyoblique.

Fruit apex.—Form — Rounded with slightly oblique pistil point.

Pistil point.—Position — The pistil point is usually depressed withinthe suture groove, below the height of the shoulders subtending it.

Weight.—Large size ranges from 0.25 pounds and up.

Skin:

Generally.—Tenacious to the flesh at commercial maturity.

Thickness.—Medium, just slightly thicker than average.

Texture.—Glabrous.

Tendency to crack.—There has been no observed tendency for the skin tosplit or crack.

Flavor.—Slightly acidic.

Color.—Variable with from 70 to 95 percent red blush color present.

Blush.—Form — Varies from washed to dappled and striped.

Stone:

Attachment.—Attachment to the flesh is a full clingstone.

Fibers.—Numbers — Attached throughout the stone surface.

Fibers.—Length — Medium.

Size.—Somewhat variable from medium to large.

Size.—Length — Ranges from 36 mm (1.44 inches) to 38 mm (1.52 inches).

Size.—Width — Ranges from 26 mm (1.04 inches) to 28 mm (1.12 inches).

Size.—Thickness — Ranges from 20 mm (0.8 inches) to 23 mm (0.92 inches).

Form.—Generally — Obovate.

Apex.—Shape — Acute in form, often with a short dentate tip.

Color.—Dry — Tan-brown (14-C-8 Mocha Bisque). A light purplish stainingis present over much of the stone surface.

Kernel.—Freestone pit.

Base.—Shape — Broadly truncate. The base is usually oblique to the stoneaxis.

Sides.—Generally — Variable, from unequal to nearly equal.

Hilum.—Size — Large.

Hilum.—Form — Generally oval.

Hilum.—Collar — Relatively thick which is somewhat raised and oftengrooved. Both the hilum area and the collar are substantially eroded,especially on the ventral edge.

Surface.—Somewhat coarse, with relatively large, irregular pits andgrooves present, most deep grooving occurring over the apical shoulderlaterally. Finer grooves occur basally over the base itself and thehilum collar.

Ventral edge.—Relatively broad. Wings are present but are relativelylow, converging apically.

Ventral edge.—Width — Ranging from 5 mm (0.2 inches) to 6 mm (0.24inches) at mid-suture.

Dorsal edge.—Somewhat prominent and relatively coarse. A groove ispresent along the full edge of the suture. The groove is most deep andwide from the stone base up to about mid-suture. From mid-suture to theapex, the groove is thinner and more shallow.

Ridges.—Present from the base up to within from 13 mm (0.52 inches) to15 mm (0.6 inches) of the apex. The ridges are most prominent just abovemid-suture and are often cross-cut by distinct grooves.

Upper dorsal edge.—Near the apex it is heavily eroded and nearly concavein form.

Tendency to split.—No tendency to split has been observed.

Market use.—Fresh market.

Resistance to disease.—No specific pathogens have been observedresulting in tree loss or degradation.

Shipping and storage characteristics.—The fruit holds up well in commonstorage for up to 28 days.

Winter hardiness.—Does well in conditions of 24 degrees Fahrenheit (24°F.) and above, which is the coldest temperature the plant hasexperienced.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics noted above as a result of the growing conditionsprevailing near Laton in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley ofCalifornia, it is to be understood that variations of the usualmagnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,irrigation, fertilization, pruning, pest control, climatic variation andthe like are to be expected.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree substantiallyas illustrated and described which is somewhat remotely similar to the‘July Red’ nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,663), but from which itis distinguished by producing fruit which are mature for commercialharvesting and shipment approximately July 14 to July 28, or about two(2) to three (3) days after, the ‘July Red’ nectarine tree, and which ischaracterized as an attractive, early midseason ripening, large size,white fleshed nectarine with high quality and good productivity.